How a Bill Could Create Three New States in South-West Nigeria

South-West Nigeria, a region with six states, may soon have three more if a bill before the House of Representatives passes. The bill, sponsored by Oluwole Oke, a lawmaker from Osun State, seeks to amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as revised) to create Oke-Ogun, Ijebu, and Ife-Ijesa states.

The bill proposes to alter the First Schedule, Part I of the Constitution, which lists the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The new states would be carved out of the existing ones, with their own capital cities and local government areas.

Oke-Ogun state would have Iseyin as its capital and comprise 12 LGAs: Olorunsogo, Irepo, Oorerelope, Ogbomosho North, Ogbomosho South, Saki-East, Saki-West, Atisbo, Itesiwaju, Iwajowa, Kajola, and Iseyin.

Ijebu state would have Ijebu Ode as its capital and consist of eight LGAs: Ijebu East, Ijebu North-East, Ijebu Ode, Ikenne, Odogbolu, Ogun Waterside, Remo North and Sagamu.

Ife-Ijesa state would have Ilesa as its capital and comprise 11 LGAs: Atakunmosa East, Atakunmosa West, Boluwaduro, Ife Central, Ife East, Ife North, Ife South, Ilesa East, Ilesa West, Oboku and Oriade.

Oke, who represents Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency, said he submitted the bill to the Clerk of the House on February 6, 2024, for further legislative action. He expressed his hope that the bill would be considered and passed by the House.

The creation of new states in Nigeria is a complex and controversial process that requires the approval of the National Assembly, the President, and the majority of the states. The last time new states were created was in 1996, when six states were added to the federation. Since then, several bills and agitations for state creation have been made, but none has succeeded. The bill by Oke is one of the latest attempts to restructure the country along geopolitical lines.